What Is The Best Thickness for Vinyl Flooring?

Thick Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl flooring is widely available for commercial and residential use. It can be used as an inexpensive substitute for hardwood, ceramic tile, or stone floors, but you need to know the thickness of your vinyl flooring before purchasing it. Vinyl’s advantage over other types of flooring is its ease of installation coupled with its relatively low cost.

Vinyl Flooring Thickness Options

The most common thickness is 1/8th inch, but thicker varieties are also available.

A 3/16-inch thick sheet of vinyl has twice the impact strength of a 1/8-inch thick sheet of vinyl.

A thicker vinyl also supports more weight per square foot, making it appropriate for bathrooms where wet towels are frequently dropped on the floor. Thicker vinyl is also easier to stand on for long periods as it has more cushioning and support.

Here is a quick look at the most common thicknesses that vinyl flooring is made in. 

1/4 Inch Thick

This thickness is meant for bathrooms and laundry rooms because it makes the room look bigger and wider than it is. It also provides good water protection for these areas of the house.

3/8 Inch Thick

This thickness is meant for kitchens and entryways. This type of vinyl flooring can resist scuffs from shoes and pets. It also has a matte finish that looks more like wood than tile.

1/2 Inch Thick

This type of vinyl flooring can be used anywhere in the house including bedrooms because of its durability and comfort.

5/8 Inch Thick

This thickness of vinyl flooring can not only be used anywhere in the house, but it is very heavy duty, so it lasts a long time if installed correctly. It would take a lot to damage or scratch it, so it’s ideal for high traffic areas such as offices, hallways, shopping malls, etc. 

3/4 Inch Thick

This vinyl flooring is recommended for stores, hospitals, schools, and other substantial buildings with high traffic areas because it’s so thick. It can resist heavy traffic and the weight of heavy equipment without becoming dented or scratched.

In summary, vinyl flooring comes in several thicknesses to suit different purposes. For example, 3/8 thick vinyl flooring is perfect for kitchens and entryways in homes, while 5/8 thick vinyl flooring is more appropriate for offices, hallways, and shopping malls in commercial settings.

If you are looking for something thick enough to stand up to heavy equipment in a busy office building, we recommend trying 3/4 thick vinyl flooring. If you are looking for vinyl that looks as professional as possible, 1/2 thick vinyl flooring is a good choice.

Another interesting read: Herringbone Vinyl Flooring: How To Install A Vinyl Tile?

Vinyl Sheeting Thickness

Vinyl sheeting used in some kitchens may have a thick, solid back that enhances its resistance to scoring knives or abrasion from metal appliances. The thick plastic can also increase the strength and durability of vinyl against rough treatment and heavy use. Most flooring has no backing at all; it’s designed with a textured underside so it will lay flat, but there is still some give when you walk across it. This lightweight vinyl flooring requires very little glue for installation, making it easy to put down by yourself even if you’ve never done such a project before.

The thickest form is called thickset adhesive vinyl. This thick, 1/2-inch thick flooring offers more excellent resistance to dents and scratches than thin sheets of vinyl and does not require a separate thick baseboard moulding like carpet padding glued to the bottom of your carpet. Thickset adhesive vinyl can be installed over existing cement basement floors or wood subfloors to turn them into rooms that can be used for entertaining or storage purposes.

There are many benefits of using thick vinyl for your flooring needs. First and foremost, you save money by opting for a thicker sheet if you plan on buying one in the first place. A thick piece of vinyl will provide more support and stability, making it easier to walk on and increasing its durability against the elements. Thickset adhesive vinyl is recommended for several reasons, including its superior strength and resistance to damages if your application requires thick vinyl.

What Is The Best Thickness For Vinyl Flooring?

Vinyl’s main advantage over other types of flooring is its ease of installation coupled with its relatively low cost.

One of the thickest forms of vinyl flooring is thickset adhesive vinyl, which is 1/2-inches thick and offers more excellent resistance to dents and scratches than thin sheets of vinyl. This thick form doesn’t require a separate thick baseboard moulding like carpet padding glued to the bottom of your carpet. Thickset adhesive vinyl can be installed over existing cement basement floors or wood subfloors to turn them into rooms that can be used for entertaining or storage purposes.

The best thickness for you will ultimately depend on how thick your piece needs to be and what additional benefits you want it to have over a thinner piece. If a more robust, sturdier floor is what you’re looking for, thickset adhesive vinyl may be your best choice.

If you want to use thick pieces of vinyl as a substitute for carpeting, thickset adhesive vinyl is great because it doesn’t require additional thick baseboard mouldings like carpet padding glued to the bottom. Thickset adhesive vinyl can also be installed over existing cement basement floors or wood subfloors to turn them into rooms that can be used for entertaining or storage purposes.

Because thick pieces of vinyl offer superior strength and resistance to damages, they are recommended if your application requires thick material. Look online today at Discount Flooring Outlet for more information on available thicknesses, including discounts you can apply right now!

Standard Benefits of Thick Vinyl Flooring:

  • thick flooring will be more durable
  • thick vinyl flooring is easy to clean
  • thick flooring feels safer for children and pets
  • thick flooring is quieter

Reason:  thick one isn’t as susceptible to regular use and abuse as thinner varieties. Thicker vinyl has more body and can better withstand accidental spills and foot traffic.

Pros of Thicker Vinyl Flooring

One of the pros is that it can add some insulation to a room, which can help to keep the room cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Another pro of thick vinyl flooring is that it can be more durable than thinner vinyl flooring, and it can be less likely to get scratched or dented.

Cons of Thicker Vinyl Flooring

One thick vinyl flooring con is that thick vinyl flooring can be expensive. Another thick vinyl flooring con is that thick vinyl flooring can even heat a room, which could potentially cause the air conditioner to work harder and more frequently than usual.

Conclusion:

In short, thicker vinyl flooring has the same benefits as the thinner grades but with additional strength and durability to withstand heavy use and abuse. 

Standard thicknesses recommended for different purposes include 5/8 thick vinyl flooring for high traffic areas such as offices and other commercial services, 3/4 thick vinyl flooring for high-risk areas such as hospitals and other high-risk environments where equipment needs to be protected against scuff marks from shoes or pets, 3/8 thick vinyl flooring for kitchens and entryways in homes where it’s essential to make the room look more prominent, and 1/4 thick vinyl flooring for bathrooms and laundry rooms where it’s imperative to resist water damage.

We hope that this guide has made it easy for you to choose the right vinyl flooring type for each room in your home or business. If you are also curious about how to install vinyl flooring or want to learn about other handy DIY tasks that can help you upgrade your property, then you should take a look at some of the other guides we have on Healthy Handymen. Our site has all the latest and best DIY home improvement tips.